Adjustable post mounted lint filter



Nov. 26, 1963 r P. H. TOPE ETAL ADJUSTABLE POST MOUNTED LINT FILTER Filed Nov. 14, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet' 1 Nov. 26, 1963 P. H. TOPE ETAL ADJUSTABLE PosT MOUNTED LTNT FILTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1960 F I E, 7 WAHNSINN Nov. 26,; 1963 P. H. TOPE rs1-Al.

' ADJUSTABLE PosT MOUNTED um FILTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 'Filed NOV. 14. 1960 Nov. 26, 1963 P. H. TOPE ETAL ADJUSTABLE PosTl MOUNTED LINT FILTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 14. 1960 United States Patent O 3,111,831 ADEUSTAELE RUST MUNIED IN'I FILTER Paul H. rTope, St. Toseph, and Robert Il. Sher-er, Stevensville, Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Sorporation, a cerporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 14, 1951i, Ser. No. 68,9% 19 Claims. (Cl. edn-18) This invention relates to washing machines and in particular to lint filters for use in washing machines.

The present invention comprises a modified form of lint filter of the type disclosed in copending Charles E. Morgenstern application Serial No. 44,966, filed July 25, 1960, and assigned to the assignee hereof. Thus, the present invention comprehends a lint filter arranged for facilitated removable installation on the agitator post of a conventional washing machine agitator.

One of the features of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved lint filter.

Another feature is the provision of such a lint filter arranged for facilitated adjustable mounting on the post of a washing machine agitator.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a lint filter including a wedge device for releasably locking the filter support to the agitator post in any one of a plurality of preselected vertically related positions.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a lint filter having new and improved means for directing the washing liquid through the filter during the filtering operation.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a lint filter provided with means at the periphery thereof for scooping the washing liquid upwardly and directing it onto the upper surface of a forarninous plate portion thereof.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diametric section of a lint filter ernbodying the invention mounted on a portion of a washing machine agitator.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical section thereof illustrating the wedging association of the wedge and retainer portion of the lint filter.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the foraminous plate portion of the lint filter.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section thereof taken substantially along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the collector portion of the lint filter with portions broken away to illustrate the construction of the scoop means thereof.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line '7 7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the retaining portion of the lint filter.

FIGURE 9 is an elevation thereof.

FIGURE 10 is a vertical section thereof taken substantially along the line 1li-10 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is an elevation of the wedge means of the lint filter.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view thereof.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary vertical section thereof taken substantially along the line 1li-14 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along the line 15-15 of FIGURE 12.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawings, a lint filter generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a collector 11 adjustably retained 3,111,531 Patented Nov. 26, 1963 ICC on the post 12 of a washing machine agitator by means of a retainer 13 and a wedge device 14. The retainer 13 and wedge device 14 cooperate with the collector 11 and the post 12 to position the lint filter at any one of a plurality of different elevations to provide desired lint filtering in agitator type washing machines wherein the washing liquid level may be any one of a plurality of preselected levels. Illustratively, in a substantial number of conventional agitator type washing machines, a reduced load operation may be effected with a substantially reduced quantity of washing liquid, such as soap or detergent solution, wherein the washing liquid level is substantially below the level thereof when the washing machine is arranged for washing a full load. Illustratively, the lint filter of the present invention may be readily releasably secured to the agitator post selectively at either of the full load or half load washing liquid levels.

Referring now more specifically to FIGURES 3-7, collector 11 may be seen to comprise a cup-shaped member having an annular forarninous plate portion 15, an upstanding cylindrical wall 16 at the inner edge of the foraminous portion, an upstanding cylindrical wall 17 at the outer periphery of the foraminous portion, an annular flange 18 depending from the inner edge of the forarninous portion, and an elongated cylindrical wall 19 depending from the outer periphery of the foraminous portion. The upper end of the inner wall 16 is provided at three equiangularly spaced points with a rounded rib Ztl, and the lower portion thereof is provided with three downwardly outwardly widening recesses 21 at three spaced points intermediate the positions of the ribs Ztl to accommodate freely the agitator vanes 22 conventionally provided on the agitator post 12. As best seen in FIGURE l, the internal diameter of the inner wall 16 is substantially larger than the diameter of the post 12 permitting portions of the retainer 13 and wedge device 14 to be installed therebetween for cooperation with the wall 16 and flange 18 in securing the collector 11 to the post 12.

The upwardly opening space 23 defined by the foraminous plate portion 15 and the upstanding walls 16 and 17 is arranged to receive washing liquid W from a plurality of scoops generally designated 24 arranged in series to define the outer peripheral portion of the collector 11. More specifically, each of the scoops 24 includes an inclined ramp 25 having a lower end 26 disposed substantially below the plane of plate portion 15, and an upper end 27 disposed substantially above the upper end of the outer wall 17 defining space 23. Radially inwardly, the scoop is defined by the walls 17 and 19, and radially outwardly the scoop is defined by an outer wall 23 extending from approximately the plane of the top of wall 17 to the plane of the bottom of wall 19. The ramp 25 extends at an angle such as 45 to the horizontal and is arcuate, as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 5, in conformity with the walls 17, 19 and 28. The ramp is reinforced by a vertically extending elongated rib 29. An annular deflector, or guide, 30 overlies the upper end of each of the scoops 2d and extends completely around the collector 11 having its outer lower end 31 engaging the upper end of the outer wall 23. The deflector is arcuate in cross section curving inwardly and downwardly toward space 23 to direct washing liquid moving upwardly along the ramp 25 radially inwardly into the space Z3 and onto foraminous plate portion 15.

` Thus, the washing liquid is directed by the defiector 30 aune-1 2S and into space 533 by the rotative oscillation of the collector ll with the agitator post l2. Por effective maximum eliiciency of iltering, it is desirable that the Jforaminous plate portion l5 be spaced slightly above the level S2 of the upper surface of the washing liquid W in the Washing machine. Herein, the retainer T13 and wedge device ld are arranged to lock releasably the collector ll in such relationship to the washing li uid level 32 notwithstanding a substantial variation in the vertical position of such level in the washing machine, level 32 being shown in FIG. l to illustrate a lower one of such levels. Referring now more specifically to FlGURES 8-15, the retainer i3 may be seen to comprise a generally tubular collar having a generally cylindrical wall 33 provided at three equiangularly spaced points with downwardly opening recesses 3d corresponding to the recess portions 2l of the collector inner wall lo The upper end 3S of the wall 33 is radially thickened and is provided with a downwardly opening annular recess 36. The lower end of wall 33 is radially thickened and is provided with an upwardly opening annular recess 355. At three equiangularly spaced positions intermediate the positions of the downwardly opening recesses 3d, the wall 33 is provided with elongated slots extending vertically completely through the wall 33 and having a segmentally annular configuration as best seen in FIGURE 8. The upper end ot the slots 359 is radially outwardly enlarged in the midportion titl to define a groove opening outwardly into the recess 36 at the upper wall portion 35.

The wedge device ld includes an annular handle el and three equiangularly spaced depending fingers 42 insertable through the retainer slots 39 for limited longitudinal movement therein. rl`he lower end of each nger 42) is provided with a latching shoulder which, as best seen in FIGURE l, locks the wedge device in association with the retainer against movement of the fingers longitudinally upwardly outwardly through the slots 39. At its upper end, each linger is provided with an undulate outer surface complementary to the rounded configuration of the ribs 2li at the upper end of collector inner wall lo. The inner surface or" the upper end of each linger is inclined upwardly radially inwardly to dene a generally triangularly shaped wedge portion le between surfaces lll and d5 adjacent handle portion il of the wedge device.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the collector lll is associated with the retainer 13 by the insertion of llange l into retainer recess 3S and the insertion of the upper end of wall 16 into recess 36 of the retainer. The wedge device 14 is installed in association with the retainer and collector by passing the lower ends 43 thereof downwardly through the slots 39 until the ends are disposed below the lower end 37 of the retainer wall.

Thusly assembled, the lint filter l@ is installed on the agitator post l2 at the desired elevation relative to the level 32 of washing liquid W by urging the wedge device lll downwardly relative to the retainer 13 and collector lll while holding the collector at the desired elevation with the forarninous plate portion l5 slightly above the washing liquid level 32. Thus, as best seen in FIGURE 2, the wedging portion d6 at the upper end of the wedge device lingers 42 enters the upper end of the retainer slot 39 wedging the retainer wall 33 forcibly against the agitator post l2. The wedge device is precluded from moving upwardly outwardly of the slots 39 by the engagement of the undulate surface with the rib 2@ of the collector wall le thereby releasably positively locking the lint filter to the agitator post at the predetermined level.

As the agitator post is rotatively oscillated during the washing cycle, the collector is rotated therewith. During the portion of the oscillation wherein the collector is rotating in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 5, a portion of the washing liquid W is forced upwardly over the ramps of the respective scoops 21tand is deected l by the deilector Si) into the annular space 2.3. The Washing liquid drains through the forarninous filter plate portion l5 back to the body of washing liquid therebelow while retining the lint particles on the upper surface thereof.

During the next portion of the oscillation cycle, Wherein the collector il is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 5, the underside of the ramps 2:3' pushes against the washing iquid and urges it in a counterclockwise direction therewith. During this portion of the cycle, no washing liquid is delivered to the space Z5. However, two desirable effects are produced by this counterclockwise movement of the collector. Firstly, the counterclockwise movement of the washing liquid effected by this counterclockwise movement of collector causes the washing liquid to move more forcibly upwardly on the ramps 2.5 during the initial portion of the next clockwise movement of the collector thereby providing improved delivery of the washing iquid to the annular space 23. Secondly, the provision of the counterclockwise movement of the collector subsequent to the clockwise movement during the delivery of the washing liquid to the space 23 causes the lint collected on the plate portion to collect in the orrn of a ball B perm' L, facilitated removal thereof by the operator.

When it is desired to reposition the lint filter lll on the agitator post i2, the operator need merely pull the handle 4l of wedge device ld upwardly to release the retainer on the post. The shoulder d3 engages the underside of the retainer portion 37 to carry the retainer and collector to the newly selected position on the post. The Wedge is then urged downwardly into the retainer while the collector is held at the newly selected position to secure the lint tilt-er in the above described manner to post l2.

Having described our invention as related to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is our intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is dened as follows:

l, ln a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post and arranged to have washing liquid surrounding said post selectively at different preselected levels, lint lter means, comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous filter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post; and means circumferentially spaced about said post for releasably mounting the collector on the post in accurate centered relationship thereon at any one of a plurality of preselected vertically related positions corresponding to said preselected levels of the washing liquid.

2. In a Washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post and arranged -to have washing liquid surrounding said post selectively at different preselected levels, lint filter means, comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous lter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post; an annular retainer carrying the collector and loosely concentrically fitting the post; and a wedge device having a grasping portion disposed above the level of washing liquid and a plurality of wedge portions carried by said grasping portion adjustably engaging the retainer for forcing the retainer into positive locking engagement with the post at any one of a plurality of vertical positions corresponding to said preselected levels of the washing liquid.

3. ln a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post and arranged to have washing liquid surrounding said post selectively at different preselected levels, lint filter means comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous filter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post; an annular retainer carrying the collector and loosely concentrically fitting the post;

a wedge device extending to above the level of washing liquid and adjustably engaging the retainer for forcing the retainer into position locking engagement with the post at any one of a plurality of vertical positions corresponding to said preselected levels of the washing liquid; and cooperating locking means on the lint collector and wedge device for releasably locking the wedge device in adjusted wedging association with the retainer.

4. In a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post and arranged to have washing liquid surrounding said post selectively at difierent preselected levels, lint filter -means comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous filter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post; a device arranged for installation between the post and the collector for releasably locking the collector to the post at any one of a plurality of vertically related positions corresponding to said preselected levels of the washing liquid; and a handle on said device for urging the wedge device selectively to a released disposition and a locking disposition, said device further having means extending under said lint collector for carrying the lint collector for selective installation on and removal from the post.

5. In a washing machine having an oscilaltory agitator post and arranged to have washing liquid surrounding said post selectively at different preselected levels, lint filter means comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous filter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post; an annular retainer carrying the collector and loosely concentrically fitting the post; a device arranged for installation between the post and the collector for releasably locking the collector to the post at any one of a plurality of vertically related positions corresponding to said preselected levels of the washing liquid; and a handle on said device for urging the wedge device selectively to a released disposition and a locking disposition,y said device further having means extending under said lint collector for carrying the lint collector for selective installation on and removal from the post.

6. In a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post and arranged to have washing liquid surrounding said post selectively at different preselected levels, lint filter means comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous filter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post; an annular retainer carrying the collector and loosely concentrically iitting the post; a wedge device arranged for installation between the post and the collector for releasably locking the collector to the post at any one of a plurality of vertically related positions corresponding to said preselected levels of the washing liquid; and cooperating shoulder means on the wedge device and retainer for supporting the retainer on the wedge device with the wedge device in a released disposition for facilitated installation of the lint filter on the agitator post.

7. In an oscillatory washing machine having an agitator post provided with laterally extending vanes, lint filter means comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous filter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post and vanes for agitating washing liquid in the tub; a device arranged for installation between the post and the collector for releasably locking the collector to the post at any one of a plurality of preselected vertically related positions; and recess defining means on said device for providing clearance between said device and each of the vanes on the washing machine post in said preselected positions.

8. In a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post, lint filter means comprising: a lint collector including a foraminous filter portion and having a central opening slightly larger than the post and vanes for agitating washing liquid in the tub; a wedge device arranged for installation between the post and the collector for releasably locking the collector to the post at any one of a plurality of preselected vertically related positions; recess defining means on the wedge device for providing 6 clearance between the wedge device and each :of the vanes on the washing machine post; and recess defining means on the collector aligned with the recess defining means on the wedge device for providing clearance between the collector and each of the vanes on the washing machine post in said preselected positions.

9. ln an oscillatory washing machine having an agitator post provided with a vane for agitating washing liquid, lint ilter means comprising: a foraminous plate; means for releasably securing the plate to the post at any one of a plurality of preselected vertically related positions; and means defining a scoop at an -outer edge portion of the plate to extend downwardly therefrom for scooping washing liquid upwardly as a result of move- Iment of the plate in only one direction of rotation with the post and having an upper portion directing scooped washing liquid onto the upper surface of the plate.

l0. In an oscillatory washing machine having an agitator post provided with a vane for agitating washing liquid lint filter means comprising: a foraminous plate; means releasably securing the plate to the post at any one of a plurality of preselected vertically related positions; means defining a scoop at an outer edge portion of the plate to extend downwardly therefrom for scooping washing liquid upwardly as a result of movement of the plate in one direction of rotation with the post and defiector means at the upper end of the scoop for directing the scooped washing liquid radially inwardly.

11. The washing machine of claim l0 wherein the deflector means comprises a member overlying the upper end of the scoop.

l2. In a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post, lint filter means comprising: an annular forarninous plate; an inner, cylindrical wall extending upwardly from the plate along the inner edge thereof; a first outer, cylindrical wall extending upwardly from the plate along the outer edge thereof; a second outer, cylindrical wall similar to said first outer wall and spaced concentrically outwardly therefrom; means -for securing the plate to the post to extend substantially horizontally; and a scoop extending between said outer walls and having a lower portion extending downwardly from the plane of said plate for scooping washing liquid upwardly as a result lof movement of the plate in one direction of rotation with the post and having an upper portion extending upwardly from the plane of said plate for directing scooped washing liquid onto the upper surface of the plate.

13. In a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post, lint filter means comprising: an annular foraminous plate; an inner, cylindrical wall extending upwardly from the plate along the inner edge thereof; a first outer, cylindrical wall having a first portion extending upwardly and a second portion extending downwardly from the plate along the outer edge thereof; a second outer, cylindrical wall similar to said first outer wall and spaced concentrically outwardly therefrom; means for securing the plate to the post to extend substantially horizontally; and a scoop having a lower portion extending downwardly lfrom the plane of said plate between said second portions of said outer walls for scooping washing liquid upwardly as a result of movement of the plate in one direction of rotation with the post and having an upper portion extending upwardly from the plane of said plate between said first portions of said outer walls for directing scooped washing liquid onto the upper surface of the plate.

14. In a washing machine having an oscillatory agitator post, lint filter means comprising: an annular foraminous plate; an inner, cylindrical wall extending upwardly from the plate along the inner edge thereof; a first outer, cylindrical wall having a first portion extending upwardly and a second portion extending downwardly from the plate along the outer edge thereof; a second outer, cylindrical wall similar to said first outer wall and spaced concentrically outwardly therefrom; means for securing the plate to the post to extend substantially horizontally; a scoop having a lower portion extending downwardly from die plane of said plate between said second portions of said outer walls for scooping washing liquid upwardly as a result of movement of the plate in one direction of rotation with the post and having an upper portion extending upwardly from the plane of said plate between said first portions of said outer walls; and guide means overlying said scoop for directing scooped washing liquid from said upper portions of the scoop onto the upper surface of the plate.

15. The washing machine 0i claim 14 wherein said guide means is annular and has an inner diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first outer wall to permit free access to the upper surface o said plate as for removing collected lint therefrom.

16. In a washing machine having a fluid container and an oscillatory agitator provided with an upright centerpost within said container, lint tilter means comprising, an annular perforate lter member including upstanding radially soaced inner and outer side Walls, means for mounting said ilter member on said centerpost, scoop means radially outwardly of said iilter member for scooping -iiuid upwardly from said container during oscillatory movements of said agitator, and dellector means ailixed to said lter member for detiecting the scooped uid radially inwardly and over said upstanding outer side Wall and downwardly onto said lter member for gravitational return therethrough to said container.

17. The lint iilter means of claim 16 wherein said dellector is annular.

18. The lint iilter means of claim 16 wherein said deector is arcuately downwardly concave in vertical radial cross-section.

19. The lint filter of claim 16 wherein said lint iilter includes a third wall spaced radially outwardly of said upstanding outer wall and carrying said detlector in overlying relationship to said scoop means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 349,361 Roots Sept. 2l, 1886 763,146 Brown et al June 21, 1904 2,481,979 Colley Sept. 13, 1949 2,909,051 Altorfer Oct. 20, 1959 2,916,900 Ferhardt et al Dec. l5, 1959 2,942,444 Abresch June 28, 1960 2,973,636 Devery et al Mar. 7, 1961 3,015,224 Oles Jan. 2, 1962 3,015,225 McWethy Ian. 2, 1962 

1. IN A WASHING MACHINE HAVING AN OSCILLATORY AGITATOR POST AND ARRANGED TO HAVE WASHING LIQUID SURROUNDING SAID POST SELECTIVELY AT DIFFERENT PRESELECTED LEVELS, LINT FILTER MEANS, COMPRISING: A LINT COLLECTOR INCLUDING A FORAMINOUS FILTER PORTION AND HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE POST; AND MEANS CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT SAID POST FOR RELEASABLY MOUNTING THE COLLECTOR ON THE POST IN ACCURATE CENTERED RELATIONSHIP THEREON AT ANY ONE OF A PLURALITY OF PRESELECTED VERTICALLY 